At CAS Electrical all of our electrical inspection and testing is carried out by fully qualified electricians and in accordance with NICEIC regulations.
We offer various electrical testing:
- Periodic Inspection Report to BS 7671 sometimes called the Landlord’s Certificate or Homebuyer’s Certificate
- Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing)
- Emergency Lighting Testing to BS 5266
We issue computer generated test sheets
Periodic Inspection Report
All electrical installations should be tested regularly to avoid the risk of harm, injury or death from an electrical problem or fault.
Under current legislation (BS7671: 2008), the maximum periods allowed between Periodic Electrical Test or Inspections is:
- Commercial Installations – 5 years
- Industrial Installations – 3 years
- Buildings open to the public – 1 year
- External Installations – 3 years
- Caravan Parks – 1 year
- Fire Alarms – 1 year
- Short Term Installations – 3 months
- Domestic Installations – 10 years or on moving house
However it may be appropriate to have a Periodic Electrical Test or Inspection done at other times such as if you are planning on moving home. The periodic Inspection gives a report on the condition of an existing electrical installation. The report details the findings and will recommend any work that needs to be done.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing)
There is a legal obligation on employers, businesses and establishments dealing with the public to take reasonable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment. A regular program of inspection and testing is required where portable electrical appliances are used by employees and the public.
What Electrical Equipment Requires PAT Testing
This is electrical equipment which is either hand held whilst being connected to the electricity supply, or is intended to be moved whilst connected to the electricity supply, or is capable of being moved without undue difficulty whilst connected to the electricity supply.
It is usual for this electrical equipment to be connected to the electricity supply via a plug and socket; however this is not a requirement for electrical equipment to be deemed portable or transportable.
Frequency of PAT Testing
The level of inspection and testing required is dependant upon the risk of the portable electrical appliance becoming faulty, which is dependant upon the type of appliance, how it is used and the environment in which it is used.
In general handheld electrical equipment are higher risk than static equipment. The environment is an important consideration for example: offices, hotels and shops – might be considered low risk, schools and colleges – might be considered moderate risk, whereas factories and kitchens – might be considered high risk and construction sites very high risk. So in some situations a formal PAT test may be recommended every 3 months however it is more often carried out yearly.
Emergency Lighting Testing To BS 5266
Emergency lighting is provided to ensure minimum levels of light are available to ensure a building can be evacuated safely in the event of the failure of the normal lighting system.
This regime calls for a function test for a short period once a month to check that the luminaire is working. An annual discharge duration test is required for the full rated discharge.
A discharge duration test is also required. When self-contained fittings are new this test is for one-third of their rated capacity every six months (this hopefully retains some battery capacity if immediately after the test there is a mains failure.) After the fittings are three years old and approaching their four year minimum design battery life the test should be done annually for the full rated duration. The latest edition of BS 5266-1:2005 now aligns with the testing shown in BS EN 50172/ BS 5266-8.
Emergency Lighting Log Books are issued at installation and filled in annually when the fittings are tested.
